State Winner

Got a call one afternoon around 3:15 from Principal Fox of Matthew's school. My first thought...."What the HELL did he do? I'm going to kill him and punish him when I get home." He immediately starts the call with "Nothing's wrong. All is fine. I need to tell you something." Me- "OK. What's up?" It's official. Matthew has won first place for 7th grade for the State of Connecticut in the Daughters of American Revolution Essay Contest on American History. That is quite an honor. All the teachers at school are all very excited. Matthew will have to attend the award ceremony in Mystic, Connecticut on April 24th. He will have to read his essay in front of a very large audience and get dressed up in a suit. Getting him to read the essay won't be the issue, prying him into the suit, shirt, tie and dress shoes, that will be a challenge. He'd rather stand up in front of the audience in sweat pants, t-shirt and sneakers. Combing his hair would be completely optional if it were up to him.

We're immensely proud of his achievement. As the winner for the State of Connecticut, his essay has now been submitted to the Regional Division and we will find out how he fares on that. If he wins that one, he will move onto the National level. Keep your fingers crossed that we'll take it all the way to Washington, D.C. for the National Award Ceremony.

Teenager

It's official. He is now a teenager. Complete with the eye-rolling attitude and infinite wisdom that comes with this rite of passage, I can't believe that he is now 13 years old. The voice is starting to change, the tapeworm has awoken and his feet are almost bigger than mine. I think by the end of the Summer, he'll be taller than me. What happened to my little bundle of joy that I brought home from the hospital at barely 5 pounds? He arrived prematurely, spent two weeks in the NICU and barely ate as a child. Tony and I used to worry about him not eating enough. Now, he eats us out of house and home. I don't understand where the food goes and I can't lift him anymore. To do so would probably cause a hernia. Yet, I remember all the moments growing up and wonder where the time has gone.

He entered this world with a companion. My cousin Dinah's son, Justin, was born on the same day. He arrived 12 hours earlier and together they have been celebrating their birthday's together. Today, was no different. Justin hosted a paint ball party and Matthew went along for the fun. It was nice to watch them share this rite of passage together and to know that they will always have one another to share milestones together.

Award Ceremony

Matthew received his award for first place on the American Essay contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The award ceremony was delayed by a week due to the snow storm we experienced the previous week. The Award Ceremony is often in the month of February which is American History Month. As first place winner, he had to read his entire essay to the audience. After reading his essay, he was presented his certificate and award medal from a representative from the Mayor of Stamford's office. Mr. Fox and Mr. O'Connor, the principal and a social studies teacher from his school, respectively, were present at the ceremony. Al and Dawn even drove down from Danbury to witness this momentous event.

Matthew's essay has been submitted to Hartford, Connecticut for the State competition. Keep your fingers crossed that he does well on that one!